UCD Landscape Architecture

UCD College of Engineering and Architecture

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BSc (Landscape Architecture) (Hons)

UCD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BSc (Hons) (Landscape Architecture) Direct Entry

CAO Code DN120

Length of programme Minimum CAO points 2010

4 years 375

Entry Requirements Irish*, English and Mathematics. One laboratory science subject.

Two other recognised subjects A-Level/GCSE: Passes (GCSE Grade C or above) in six recognised subjects including those above, of which two must be minimum Grade C or above at A-Level. *A-Level candidates are usually exempt from the Irish language requirement.

Introduction

What’s on offer through landscape architecture in UCD?

UCD is at the forefront of Landscape Architecture education in Ireland. UCD is currently the only university in Ireland to offer an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture. This course is accredited by the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) and recognised by the European Foundation for Landscape Architecture (EFLA).

UCD Landscape Architecture is taught in unique facilities in the School of Architecture in the Richview/Newstead buildings on the Belfield campus. These facilities include bright and airy studios, a well equipped workshop and building laboratory, exhibition spaces and the best architectural library in the country.

UCD produces landscape architects who, in their working lives, draw on a great diversity of skills and knowledge to plan, design and manage spaces which are useful, sustainable, and fit for the specified purpose. UCD landscape architects are involved in enhancing, improving and conserving our natural and built environment, creating inspiring places to live, work and relax and transforming degraded environments. Their work combines scientific and cultural understanding, design creativity, and knowledge of man-made materials and structures with an understanding of ecology, land use and ecosystems. Their training ensures that graduates are equipped to work on diverse projects ranging from regeneration of urban and rural sites, conservation and management of heritage landscapes and waterways to the design of public and private open spaces.

Landscape architects also advise on landscape resource management, the siting and potential impact of new structures in the landscape and management of site construction.

The design studio is at the heart of landscape architecture education in UCD. Studio programmes are taught by practising landscape architects, many of whom are leaders in their profession whose work is widely recognised on a global level. Design studio work involves project work in individual and group exercises, structured to foster the creative problem-solving skills needed to develop an understanding of space and context, and a respect for natural processes. These projects explore the associations between concepts and their realisation. Studio work is taught through individual tuition, group tutorials, field trips and project review. The supporting lecture programme follows three main structures: the natural and applied sciences, technology and history and theory. Studio work is assessed on the basis of students’ efforts over both semesters, while the lecture programmes are assessed by a combination of written exams, continuous assessment and projects.

Our education model is designed to give students the creative ability and discipline to work alone or as part of a team of specialists. As graduates, they frequently work as part of large multidisciplinary teams along side architects, engineers, planners, artists, ecologists, and surveyors. Such is the broad overview gained in UCD Landscape Architecture that graduates are often chosen as the master-planners for large-scale projects.

From your very first semester you will study subjects such as Land Use and the Environment to Earth Materials, History of Landscape Architecture, Graphics, Photography and Design. Lectures provide you with an overview of global, regional and local issues affected by interaction between human beings and their environment.

What opportunities are there for a landscape architect?

The UCD Landscape Architecture degree programme comprises two main elements: studio project work and lectures. Design modules make up 50% of this degree programme and students spend half of the week in the studio. Design methodology is taught and practised in studio-based landscape design modules involving on-site projects and requiring an important element of self-direction. As students progress through the programme they will learn to inform design decisions by analysis of information concerning the natural and cultural processes affecting particular case studies.

The other half of the programme involves lecture modules which provide theoretical material in the areas of ecology and the earth sciences, landscape planning, management, materials and construction techniques. In addition to their core landscape architecture modules, students can avail of elective options in UCD which will enable them to choose to study modules across a varied range of subjects from politics to philosophy, language to law and art history to maths.

The Landscape Architecture degree programme at UCD is part of the European Landscape Education Exchange. This Erasmus programme is a landscape architecture education network involving 11 universities in Europe and providing opportunities for staff and student exchange. Students regularly spend time abroad, either on short field trips, or participating in intensive design studios with students from other universities, or opting to spend a semester studying at one of our partner universities.

There are many career opportunities for qualified landscape architects. Most graduates work in Landscape Architecture practice, either with private consultancies or in local government. After two years of approved graduate work experience, our graduates can sit the Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) professional practice exams leading to full professional membership of the ILI. Many of the skills acquired during the Landscape Architecture programme are transferable to other areas. Some graduates progress to work in education (design or environmental science), or as landscape managers with responsibility for the upkeep, care and development of particular sites. Many others progress to further academic study in such diverse areas as spatial planning, environmental resource management or environmental psychology.

The increased emphasis at local and national level on the importance of the environment, green spaces, and sympathetic and aesthetically pleasing developments, means that landscape architecture is an expanding profession. Salaries are on a par with other professionals within conservation and the built environment, and the variety of employment opportunities makes landscape architecture an exciting option. An increasing number of students are now opting to pursue further study in the form of a PhD.

Graduate profile

My time at UCD studying Landscape Architecture is one of the best experiences I’ve had; the course itself is very challenging and demanding in both academia and creativity, while still being a lot of fun. One of the great perks of Landscape Architecture is the opportunity to do a lot of travelling while in college. I went on numerous study trips to cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Krakow, Malmo and many other trips within Ireland, which were great experiences. Unlike many other courses in UCD, Landscape Architecture class sizes are small, which makes making friends a lot easier, and also allows for one-to-one tuition with your tutors, which is a great plus and provides for a relaxed study environment.

On graduating in 2009 I got a job as a Landscape Architect and have worked on a diverse range of projects from urban design to town planning, landscape conservation, environmental protection and future development plans.

Landscape Architecture is a very broad course and provided me with a good foundation in a diverse range of subject areas. The course will prepare you to work in any field as time management, teamwork, written and verbal communication, graphics and presentation skills are a big part of the skills you’ll learn to be a Landscape Architect. With increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment and man’s impacts on it, Landscape Architecture is a profession that will give you a very fulfilling and interesting career.

MORE INFORMATION….

You can get more information about this programme by calling, emailing or writing to:

UCD Engineering and Architecture Programme Office | Room 122 (first floor) Engineering and Materials Science Centre | University College Dublin | Belfield | Dublin 4.

Tel +353 1 716 1868 | Email: choosearchitecture@ucd.ie | www.ucd.ie/engarch and www.ucd.ie/architecture

September 2011

Gareth Toolan (above) Landscape Architecture Graduate, UCD, 2009.